In all, Mr. Levine has negotiated and closed transactions in more than 20 countries on five continents, and has advised companies based in the United States and companies based in other countries on transactional matters, business structure, outsourcing and cross-border compliance issues including import/export, FCPA/Bribery Act and local standards and requirements. In so doing, Mr. Levine has established partnerships with local lawyers throughout the world, which enables him to provide a truly international practice in a highly efficient manner.

Mr. Levine’s regulatory practice goes well beyond cross-border compliance Issues, to cover general regulatory programs at both the federal and state level. From the start of his career, Ari has handled a wide range of issues arising under environmental and worker health and safety law, from evaluating environmental risk associated with various transactions (on behalf of a mix of purchasers, sellers and lenders), advising clients on permitting and other regulatory matters, to defending – and favorably resolving – significant enforcement matters, including agency enforcement actions. This has extended to other regulatory programs over the years, including transportation (DOT/FAA), labor department actions and some FDA regulation in a transactional context.

Prior to joining Pierson Ferdinand, Mr. Levine was a partner at FisherBroyles, LLP. Prior to that, he was Legal Director (General Counsel), Americas Region (North & South America) for Thames Water PLC, and advised its UK-based and German-based management teams on issues related to their expansion in North & South America. During his time with Thames, Ari negotiated and closed the largest water and wastewater services agreement issued in the United States in a five-year period. Mr. Levine also served as Deputy General Counsel and Vice President, Regulatory Affairs for Exide Technologies, and helped to direct the implementation of that company’s growth from a US-focused business to one with operations throughout Europe, Asia, Australia and Latin America. In the regulatory affairs arena, Ari established the company’s first global EH&S (environment, health and safety) and risk management departments, reducing exposure and compliance cost in the process.

Mr. Levine has served as Special Counsel to the Audit Committee of a New York Stock Exchange-traded company in connection with the investigation of alleged financial reporting misconduct by a foreign subsidiary. The investigation resulted in a restatement of the company’s earnings and disciplinary action against the individuals involved. An investigation by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) was resolved without any penalty or finding of wrongdoing against the company.

Throughout his career, Mr. Levine has negotiated and closed deals and advised clients on business matters in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, the Czech Republic, Italy, China, Japan, India, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand, among others

Ari is a lifelong Philadelphia sports fan, so he is well acquainted with disappointment along with the occasional moments of elation. He has also followed a long family tradition of community service, serving as a long-term board member of Congregation Adath Emanu-El of Mount Laurel, New Jersey, where is a former three-term president. He also served on the board of the Colon Cancer Association of the Delaware Valley and on the national board of the Association of Reform Zionists of America (ARZA).